Bell & Evans to convert 100% of chickens to higher-welfare breed in 2018
In 2015, Bell & Evans pursued options for a better-quality breed of chickens by working with European breeders.
Bell & Evans, Fredericksburg, Pa., is said to be the first U.S. chicken producer to transition to a higher-welfare, slower-growing, more flavorful breed of broiler chickens. The new breed, Das Klassenbester, will 100% replace Bell & Evans’ current breed of chickens by the end of 2018.
“We expect to invest more than $75 million in the new breed during the first five years, an investment I can’t see commodity producers making,” says Scott Sechler, owner. “We don’t raise commodity chickens. Every single chicken we process passes through our organic-certified hatchery, never receives an antibiotic – even while in the egg – and have the same genetics, taking away all guesswork for our customers. We’re pretty proud to say that 100% of our products will come from a higher-welfare, better-quality breed.”